Although betting on games is a great way to make money, betting on futures is also well worth it, especially at this point in the season when things are still relatively wide open. The Atlantic Division is among the most competitive in the NHL, with numerous teams that should be Stanley Cup contenders next year. The Boston Bruins are the favorite right now at +100 after winning the President's Trophy in 2022-23. Not far behind them are the Toronto Maple Leafs (+250), the Florida Panthers (+500), the Tampa Bay Lightning (+1100), and the Detroit Red Wings (+1400). Below, we'll discuss the Atlantic Division futures.
Before we get into the odds and preview, make sure to check out our online sportsbook reviews, and the top NHL betting sites.
Atlantic Division Futures
| Team |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | +100 | +110 | +125 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +250 | +285 | +250 |
| Florida Panthers | +500 | +350 | +400 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 | +1200 | +1100 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +1400 | +1600 | +1500 |
| Ottawa Senators | +3500 | +6600 | +4000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +4000 | +5000 | +4400 |
Bruins (+100)
A lot of people expected the Bruins to take a step back in 2023-24 after their dominant season a year ago. But, it's been the complete opposite. Boston has one of the best records in the league at 15-4-3, which puts them at the top of the Atlantic Division. The Bruins are scoring 3.32 goals per game which ranks 10th while allowing only 2.5 goals, the fifth-best mark in the league. David Pastrnak is once again proving why he's one of the best players around, leading the way with 33 points. He has 13 goals and 20 assists in 22 games. Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy, among others, are all doing their part, too. In fact, there are seven players on this roster with double-digit points. A lot of balance on both ends of the ice for Boston. Another Atlantic Division title is very much possible, but can they overcome last season's playoff embarrassment? That, we'll have to see.
Maple Leafs (+275)
Winning the Atlantic Division has never happened for Toronto, but they've gotten so close. The Maple Leafs were second in each of the last two years, surpassing the 100-point mark in both. Sheldon Keefe's squad is off to a respectable start in 2023-24, sitting in third right now. They own a 12-6-3 record and have done a nice job of producing offensively, with the core four of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares showing out. However, Toronto needs more defencemen to contend after injuries to John Klingberg and Mark Giordano. Chances are the Leafs will go out and trade for a blue liner or two, which should make a big difference.
Panthers (+450)
Florida might not have a bunch of superstars, but we saw what this group is capable of in last season's playoffs, making an improbable run all the way to the Stanley Cup before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights. With a strong roster again, the Panthers are second in the division at 14-7-2. Offensively, Florida isn't exactly shining, scoring only three goals per contest. But, their blue line is stellar, conceding the fourth-lowest goals per game at 2.48. That's the No. 1 reason the Panthers own one of the better records in the NHL. Sam Reinhart is the leading man with 15 goals and 13 assists, while Carter Verhaeghe's 10 goals make him the only other double-digit scorer. Matthew Tkachuk needs to get going, registering only three goals thus far, but he does have 15 assists.
Lightning (+1100)
We all know the Lightning's history. Stanley Cup winners in 2020 and 2021 while winning back-to-back Atlantic Division titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19. This a team with a history of success. However, they're not playing that great 24 games in, sitting in fifth place with a 10-9-5 record. They're scoring lots as we've seen lots in past years, but the blue line is allowing over 3.5 goals per night. That's just not a recipe for success. The Bolts head into Saturday's game looking to end a three-game losing skid.
Red Wings (+1400)
Detroit is an up-and-comer who is making a statement early on. After years of struggling, perhaps the Red Wings are finally ready to make it back to the playoffs. They're 12-7-3 and only six points out of first place in the Atlantic Division. Detroit also just signed Patrick Kane, who should give them a boost both on and off the ice given his experience. Alex DeBrincat is shining, scoring 12 goals and supplying nine assists. There are tons of contributions coming from up and down this roster.
Atlantic Division Futures Picks
At this point, it's best to bet on a couple of teams. To me, that's the Bruins and the Panthers. Toronto has never won the division and they'll likely be in second or third again.
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